One of the hardest parts about installing drywall is accurately
cutting out the openings for electrical boxes. It usually means taking several
measurements from the wall where the outlet is located and then transfering them
to the drywall. It seems easy, but I still occasionally cut holes where they don't
belong or don't quite fit right.

Recently, I was
told of a simple solution to solve this problem. The idea is to use a template
made from a plastic outlet cover plate.

Making it is easy,
just trace the shape of the electrical box onto the back of the cover plate. Then
simply drive a screw though the plate at each corner of the outline, see the drawings
at right.

Now attach the plate onto the electrical box you're trying
to locate the cutout for. Then set the drywall in position and press it against
the screw points to make marks on the back of the drywall. Finally, cut between
the marks for a perfectly sized and positioned cutout.